Five Catawba students competed at the National Association of Teachers of Singing during regional competition held March 17 and 18 at UNC Chapel Hill. The regional competition included vocal students from Maryland, Washington, D.C., North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
One of the five Catawba students, Charlee Beth Haddock of Florence, Ala., was the 1st Place Winner at both the state and regional level for second year college women, musical theatre. She sang at the Regional Honors Recital on March 18th with all the first place winners from the various categories. She now advances to the National Student Auditions.
Haddock had first competed at the state level of the N.A.T.S. auditions held in November 2016 before advancing to regional competition.
Although not winners in regional competition, two of the five Catawba students were winners in state competition. They were Caroline Kirk of Matthews was 2nd place winner in the state competition for second year college women, musical theatre. Sara Falso of Irmo, S.C., was 2nd place winner in state competition for first year college women, musical theatre.
Amery Barton of Salisbury, N.C., and Claire Raimist of Woodsboro, Md., qualified at the state level for regional competition.
These five aforementioned students study with Caroline Stephenson, a voice faculty member at Catawba, and they were accompanied by Susan Trivette, staff accompanist at Catawba.
Stephenson said Charlee Beth Haddock's first place finish in second year college women, musical theatre, was "quite an honor at the Regional event," and added that "all five Catawba students received excellent scores and represented the college exceptionally well."
More information about the NATS organization and the student auditions may be found at www.nats.org/student-auditions.html.
